Preview Sunday afternoon at Swiss Darts Trophy 2025 | Humphries vs Searle, Bunting, Cross, Clayton and more

From Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, the Swiss Darts Trophy 2025 is on the program at the Jakobshalle in Basel. This is the thirteenth of a total of fourteen Euro Tour tournaments and represents the last chance for a number of players to secure a spot at the World Grand Prix and European Darts Championships later in October.

The field of competitors includes 48 players and a total prize pool of £175,000 is up for grabs, with the winner alone taking home £30,000. Title holder Martin Schindler won the tournament last year after a narrow 8-7 victory over Ryan Searle.

Below we preview the eight third-round matches scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Follow the Swiss Darts Trophy 2025 here via our live scores!

When former world champion Luke Humphries takes on Ryan Searle, there seems to be very little doubt on paper. Humphries has been the man consistently throwing high averages this season, showing in almost every match that he is not only scoring, but also mentally ironclad. Yet Searle should not be underestimated; with his heavy arrows he can decide a leg in no time and he is also capable of producing series of 180s that hurt even the best players. Still, the difference in stability is great. Humphries rarely misses doubles at crucial moments and also exudes calmness, something Searle still sometimes falls short of. It's hard to think of a scenario in which Humphries gets surprised. Everything points to the world number one continuing his form and qualifying for the quarterfinals with a relatively comfortable victory.

For Jermaine Wattimena, this match is a chance to put his name on the European map again. The Dutchman is known for his lightning fast pace and can completely baffle opponents. Luke Woodhouse, on the other hand, is a player who brings calm and regularity to his game and often stands out less, but performs steadily. So it will be a clash of styles: speed versus composure. If Wattimena manages to couple his scoring ability with purity on the doubles, he can make the difference with his pace. Woodhouse will try to break the pace and tilt the match in his favor by mercilessly punishing every chance at a double. Still, it seems that Wattimena's confidence and ability to get off to an explosive start will give him the upper hand. The Dutchman is expected to narrowly win in an exciting match.

This poster promises pure quality, as Jonny Clayton and Martin Schindler have both proven to be among the Pro Tour's most reliable players. Clayton has won countless top matches with his smooth throwing and timing on the doubles. He is the man who always seems to level up in the deciding leg. Schindler, on the other hand, has made huge strides in the last two seasons and is now among the sub-top, with impressive results on the European Tour. He combines stable scores with growing mental toughness. Yet Clayton remains more dangerous in this type of match, precisely because he has a wealth of experience and often strikes mercilessly the moment his opponent makes one mistake.

For Chris Dobey, the duel with Cor Dekker is mainly a matter of staying professional and getting to his own level. Dobey is now an established player in the PDC, with major titles and a proven track record. Cor Dekker, on the other hand, has surprisingly advanced to this round and finds himself in unfamiliar territory. It may actually be liberating for him, as the pressure is entirely on his opponent. Still, Dobey starts this match as a clear favorite.

The meeting between Stephen Bunting and Krzysztof Ratajski is a duel between two experienced pros who know each other inside out. Bunting has experienced a remarkable revival in recent years, fitter than ever and with a confidence that often takes him far on the European Tour. Ratajski is the Polish ice rabbit, rarely showing emotion but always dangerous with his solid scores and clinical finishes. This promises a match in which the smallest mistake can be fatal. However, Bunting can make a difference with his new energy and polished confidence. His scoring ability, combined with the calmness he now exudes, gives him a slight edge. Ratajski will certainly have chances, but Bunting is expected to take the match in the closing stages. A narrow victory for the Englishman seems most likely.

For Dutch darts fans, this is one of the most loaded matches of the round. Raymond van Barneveld remains a legend, a player still capable of bringing magic to the stage. His opponent, Ritchie Edhouse, is a hard worker who often fights his way past qualifying rounds to major tournaments. Edhouse is dangerous when he can play freely, but against an icon like Van Barneveld, the ambiance usually brings extra pressure. 'Barney' can draw on his vast experience and knows how to manage such matches. If he gets off to a good start and hits his doubles immediately, there is a good chance that Edhouse will soon have to chase. Van Barneveld is also still in a fierce battle for World Grand Prix qualification and can do gold this weekend.

Ryan Joyce is the quiet force who rarely gets upset, is reliable in his scoring and almost always puts up a solid average. Gian van Veen is the young Dutch top talent who is making a name for himself at lightning speed and has already rocked several top-10 players this season. Van Veen has an explosive style, with many 180s and an uninhibited attitude that makes him dangerous to any opponent. Yet Joyce is not a player to be intimidated. He can lull Van Veen to sleep with his steady rhythm and tight finishes. However, everything points to a match in which Van Veen's youthful flair will eventually make the difference. His scoring ability is simply higher, and if he hits his doubles reasonably, he seems to be able to trounce Joyce. An exciting battle, but the prediction is that Van Veen will advance to the quarterfinals.

Rob Cross has been blowing hot and cold this year, but with the important majors coming up this fall, he seems to be quietly returning to top form. Noppert, on the other hand, is the ultimate cool frog, a player who is never thrown off guard and always lurks on his opponent's mistakes. This will be a battle of pure quality and mental toughness. Cross will try to dominate the match with his scoring ability, while Noppert patiently waits for the opportunities that will undoubtedly come.